Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture research strategy 2027-2032: consultation analysis

1. Introduction

This report

This report presents the independent analysis of responses received to the Scottish Government consultation on the draft Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) Research Strategy for 2027-2032. The analysis was undertaken by EKOS Ltd on behalf of the Scottish Government between October and December 2025.

Section 1 sets out:

• background to the consultation
• what the consultation sought views on
• next steps
• structure of this consultation analysis report

Background to the consultation

The ENRA Strategic Research Programme (SRP) is a large-scale, multidisciplinary portfolio of research. The current SRP is guided by the ENRA Research Strategy 2022-2027, and informs policy decisions across government, including on priority areas such as climate change, agricultural reform, peatland restoration, and environmental protection. It has also sought to support sustainable economic growth in rural and island communities. The programme is structured in five-year cycles to enable long-term strategic research. In preparation for the next cycle, the Scottish Government is reviewing its current approach and has developed a refreshed ENRA Research Strategy for 2027-2032 that builds on progress achieved and which also evolves and responds to the changing context.

The draft ENRA Research Strategy 2027-2032 sets out how the Scottish Government will achieve its vision for the research programme to “support research that is relevant, respected and responsive to Scotland’s environment, communities, its people and to the rural economy.” The draft strategy sets out this high-level vision, overarching strategic aims, programme structure, priorities, and Areas of Research Interest (ARIs).

Research in the 2027-2032 programme will be delivered through five core Missions aligned with government priorities and will focus on themes including: climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable land use, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, rural and island economic resilience, plant and animal health, and the management of water resources and flood risk. The draft strategy also proposes to extend research into new areas, including improving Scotland’s wildfire risk assessment and efforts to enhance the resilience of Scotland’s food system by identifying key strengths and vulnerabilities and fostering innovation.

What the consultation sought views on

The draft strategy was developed by the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser ENRA and Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS), the division of Scottish Government responsible for ENRA research delivery. The development of the draft strategy was informed by the recommendations of the ENRA Research Portfolio Board, ENRA Scientific Advisory Board and the First Minister’s Environment Council.

A public consultation was held to gather feedback from individuals and organisations and to help develop the final strategy. The consultation, which opened on 4^th August 2025 and closed on 24^th October 2025, invited comment on the strategic direction including on the proposed approach and priorities for the coming five-year cycle. The consultation has been undertaken to ensure that:

• the strategy responds to Scotland's challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable land use, rural economic resilience, and food system security, and can inform government policy
• future research investments are evidence-based, inclusive, and impactful across environmental and rural policy domains while supporting sustainable growth and climate resilience

Next steps

The consultation analysis report will be used by the Scottish Government to help shape the final Research Strategy 2027-2032 which will be used to guide the development and commissioning of the ENRA SRP. It is expected that the final strategy will be published in March 2026. Information on how responses to the consultation were used will be added to the consultation page.

Structure of this consultation analysis report

The remainder of this report is structured in line with the 12 open-ended questions asked within the consultation paper and which covered four broad themes, namely:

• overall strategy
• impact approach
• ARIs
• impact routes – decision support, Living Labs and innovation

It also provides an overview of the consultation methodology, respondents, and the approach taken to the analysis.

Note: analysis of question 4 is presented following question 12 given the broad scope of question 4 which asked “Do you have any other comments or suggestions on any part of the Strategy?”